Conservationist Robert Irwin has called Prince William’s Earthshot Prize a “beacon of hope” for the planet ahead of the award ceremony on Wednesday.
Dubbed the prince’s “Super Bowl” moment, the award ceremony on Wednesday will recognise environmental solutions to “repair” the planet, with five category winners each receiving £1 million to “scale up” their plans.
Launched in 2020, the Earthshot Prize searches for the most innovative solutions to the world’s greatest environmental challenges.
The Australian is an ambassador of the Earthshot Prize and spoke to William about the importance of it on Tuesday when the pair met in Cape Town. They were joined by rangers and volunteer conservationists at Signal Hill after the former king learned about the rare and endangered plants of the area’s biodiversity.
William took in views of Cape Town’s famous Table Mountain on what was his second day of his visit to the South African capital.
A tour of the city has seen him taking part in a series of events shining a light on young African climate activists and the fight against the illegal wildlife trade, while also promoting his Earthshot Prize awards ceremony.
Speaking ahead of the ceremony at the World Travel & Tourism Council’s recent Global Summit in Perth (Boorloo), Western Australia, Irwin, 20, said: “Young people feel almost helpless and so you have to say, no, there is hope. We all have the power to make change, we all have a voice.
“If they can look up to these incredible people from all over the word. You look at the Earthshot finalists and they are from every corner of the globe, from different backgrounds and cultures and they are all coming together for one common goal. What an awesome thing to get behind.
He added: “The thing that really made me want to be part of it, the thing that hits home with me, is the similarities between what his Royal Highness Prince William has set up and what we and try and achieve with our charity, Wildlife Warriors.”
“It’s great being in a room with people who are going ‘let’s fix this, let’s get it done, let’s get to work, let’s make the world a better place and we’re going to do it right now and no one can tell us different’.”
Irwin also reflected on his late father Steve Irwin’s work. He was famously known as “the crocodile hunter” who Irwin said helped him to become involved in conservation in his own way.
Irwin said: “It’s a real honour to follow in his footsteps. He was larger than life, probably one of the most passionate people to ever exist.
“He exemplified enthusiasm but he was also a very scientific mind. He was the best dad as well and so nurturing and so keen to get us kids, my sister and I, involved in wildlife conservation in our own way. He’s definitely a guiding force for me and will always be my greatest inspiration.”
